Agricultural trench depth systems, methods, and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. In one embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a gear box having one or more gears which engage with a gear rack. The gear box may be pivotally connected to a depth adjustment body supporting a rocker that adjusts upward travel of gauge wheel arms. In another embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a depth adjustment arm having a screw receiver that cooperates with a driven screw that adjusts the position of the depth adjustment arm acting on the gauge wheels to adjust trench depth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 16/889,153, filed 1Jun. 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 15/999,390, filed 20Aug. 2018, which is a continuation of PCT Application No.PCT/US2017/018274, filed 17 Feb. 2017, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Nos. 62/297,535, filed 19 Feb. 2016; 62/322,314;filed 14 Apr. 2016; 62/366,405, filed 25 Jul. 2016; and 62/417,144,filed 3 Nov. 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, farmers have recognized the need to select and maintainthe proper planting depth to ensure the proper seed environment (e.g.,temperature and moisture) and seedling emergence. To improve agronomicpractices, it would also be desirable for the farmer to understand therelationship between actual planting depth and metrics such as emergenceand yield. Conventional agricultural planters include only apparatus foradjusting a maximum planting depth, which may not be maintained duringoperation due to soil conditions or insufficient downpressure on theplanter row unit. Even in operation of modern planters having sensorsfor determining whether full trench depth has been lost, the actualdepth planted is still not determined. Thus there is a need for systems,methods and apparatus for controlling and/or measuring the depth of atrench opened by an agricultural planter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side elevation view of an embodiment of anagricultural row unit.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of another embodiment of anagricultural row unit with certain components removed for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the agricultural row unit of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the agricultural row unit of FIG. 2 witha right gauge wheel removed for clarity.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial right side elevation view of theagricultural row unit of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the agricultural row unit of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a depth adjustmentassembly and a secondary depth adjustment assembly.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly and a secondary depth adjustment assembly.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly and a secondary depth adjustment assembly.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly and a secondary depth adjustment assembly.

FIG. 10A is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly and a secondary depth adjustment assembly.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a system forcontrolling furrow depth.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly and a secondary depth adjustment assembly.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly and a secondary depth adjustment assembly disposedon the row unit frame.

FIG. 13A is a side elevation view of the depth adjustment assembly and asecondary depth adjustment assembly of FIG. 13 as viewed along lines X-Xof FIG. 13 .

FIG. 13B is an enlarged perspective view of the depth adjustmentassembly and a secondary adjustment assembly of FIG. 13 with the rowunit frame removed.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly and a secondary depth adjustment assembly disposedon the row unit frame.

FIG. 14A is a side elevation view of the depth adjustment assembly and asecondary depth adjustment assembly of FIG. 14 as viewed along lines Y-Yof FIG. 14 .

FIG. 14B is a side elevation view of the depth adjustment assembly and asecondary depth adjustment assembly of FIG. 14 showing an alternativeembodiment in which the roller replaced with a cog.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly with a rotary actuator disposed on the row unitframe.

FIG. 15A is a side elevation view of the depth adjustment assembly ofFIG. 15 .

FIG. 15B is a side elevation view of the depth adjustment assembly ofFIG. 15A including a manual adjustment.

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly with a rotary actuator disposed on a gear rack onthe row unit frame.

FIG. 16A is a side elevation and partial cutaway view of the depthadjustment assembly of FIG. 16 .

FIG. 16B is a side elevation and partial cutaway view of anotherembodiment for the depth adjustment assembly of FIG. 16 .

FIG. 16C is a side elevation and partial cutaway view of anotherembodiment for the depth adjustment assembly of FIG. 16

FIG. 16D is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 16C.

FIG. 16E is a rear elevation view of another embodiment for a depthadjustment assembly.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view showing a Case row unit adapted withanother embodiment of a depth adjustment assembly.

FIG. 17A is an enlarged view of the embodiment of FIG. 17 .

FIG. 18 is a side elevation and partial cutaway view of anotherembodiment of a depth adjustment assembly with a position locationsystem.

FIG. 18A is rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 19 is a side elevation and partial cutaway view of anotherembodiment of a depth adjustment assembly with a position locationsystem.

FIG. 19A is rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 20A is a side elevation and partial cutaway view of anotherembodiment of a depth adjustment assembly with a position locationsystem.

FIG. 20B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 20C is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 20B with thegear rack removed.

FIG. 20D is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 20B.

FIG. 20E is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 20C.

FIG. 20F is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 20C.

FIG. 20G is a perspective view of the bottom of the gear rack of theembodiment of FIGS. 20A to 20E.

FIG. 20H is a perspective view of the gear rack and rollers of theembodiment of FIGS. 20A to 20E and 20F.

FIG. 20I is a perspective view of the gear rack of FIG. 20H taken alongsection A-A.

FIG. 20J is a perspective view of the gear box of the embodiments ofFIGS. 20A to 20F.

FIG. 20K is a perspective view of the worm gear and wheel inside of thegear box of FIG. 20J.

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of another embodiment of a depth adjustmentassembly with a position location system

DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1illustrates an agricultural implement, e.g., a planter, comprising atoolbar 8 to which multiple row units 10 are mounted in transverselyspaced relation. Each row unit 10 is preferably mounted to the toolbarby a parallel arm arrangement 16 such that the row unit is permitted totranslate vertically with respect to the toolbar. An actuator 18 ispreferably pivotally mounted to the toolbar 8 and the parallel armarrangement 16 and configured to apply supplemental downpressure to therow unit 10.

The row unit 10 preferably includes a frame 14. The row unit 10preferably includes an opening disc assembly 60 including two angledopening discs 62 rollingly mounted to a downwardly extending shank 15 ofthe frame 14 and disposed to open a v-shaped trench 3 (i.e., furrow,seed furrow) in a soil surface 7 as the row unit traverses a field. Therow unit 10 preferably includes a gauge wheel assembly 50 including twogauge wheels 52 pivotally mounted to either side of the frame 14 by twogauge wheel arms 54 and disposed to roll along the surface of the soil.A depth adjustment assembly 90 pivotally mounted to the frame 14 at apivot 92 preferably contacts the gauge wheel arms 54 to limit the upwardtravel of the gauge wheel arms 54, thus limiting the depth of the trenchopened by the opening disc assembly 60. A closing assembly 40 ispreferably pivotally coupled to the frame 14 and configured to move soilback into the trench 3.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1 , seeds 5 are communicated from a hopper12 to a seed meter 30 preferably configured to singulate the suppliedseeds. The meter 30 is preferably a vacuum-type meter such as thatdisclosed in Applicant's International Patent Pub. No. WO/2012/129442,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. In operation, the seed meter 30 preferably deposits thesupplied seeds into a seed tube 32. The seed tube 32 is preferablyremovably mounted to the frame 14; in operation, seeds 5 deposited bythe meter 30 fall through the seed tube 32 into the trench 3.

Turning to FIGS. 2-6 , the depth adjustment assembly 90 is illustratedin more detail. The depth adjustment assembly 90 includes a rocker 95pivotally mounted to a depth adjustment body 94. The depth adjustmentbody 94 is pivotally mounted to the row unit frame 14 about the pivot92. A handle 98 is preferably slidably received within the depthadjustment body 94 such that the user can selectively engage anddisengage the handle (e.g., left and right hooks 99-1, 99-2,respectively, which may be formed as a part of the handle 98) with oneof a plurality of depth adjustment slots 97 (FIG. 6 ) formed within therow unit frame 14. With reference to FIG. 7 , the handle 98 is partiallyslidingly received within a cavity 710 of the depth adjustment body 94,and an optional spring 730 engages an annular lip 740 disposed on thebottom end of the handle 98; the spring 730 thus imposes a resilientforce to retain the hooks 99 in the selected slot 97 but permits theuser to withdraw the handle 98 to temporarily disengage the hooks 99from the slot 97. In operation, the upward travel of the gauge wheels 52is limited by contact of the gauge wheel arms 54 with the rocker 95.When one of the gauge wheels, e.g., left gauge wheel 52-1, encounters anobstruction, the rocker 95 allows the left gauge wheel arm 54-1 totravel upward while lowering the right gauge wheel 52-2 by the sameabsolute displacement such that the row unit 10 rises by half the heightof the obstruction.

It should be appreciated that the handle 98 and depth adjustment body 94comprise a primary depth adjustment sub-assembly configured to permitthe user to select one of a plurality of pre-selected furrow depths. Thepre-selected furrow depths each correspond to one of the depthadjustment slots 97. In some embodiments, rather than using the handle98 to manually select a depth adjustment slot, an actuator may be usedto adjust the position of handle 98; for example, a linear actuator (notshown) mounted to the row unit frame 14 may be disposed to adjust theposition of the handle 98, or a rotary actuator may turn a gear whichadjusts the position of the handle relative to the depth adjustmentslots 97.

In each of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 and 12 , asecondary depth adjustment assembly is configured to modify one or moreof the pre-selected furrow depths. The secondary depth adjustmentassembly may modify the pre-selected furrow depths by more preciseadjustments (e.g., by smaller adjustment steps) than the depthmodifications enabled by the primary depth adjustment assembly (e.g., byselecting which depth adjustment slot 97 is engaged by the handle 98).For example, referring FIG. 7 , the depth adjustment assembly 90Aincludes an actuator 720 which adjusts the effective length of the depthadjustment assembly 90A. In the illustrated embodiment, the extension ofactuator 720 determines the position of the rocker 95 relative to thedepth adjustment body 94. As illustrated, the rocker 95 is pivotallymounted to a movable member 770 having a cavity 775 for receiving aprotrusion 760 preferably mounted to (or formed as a part with) thedepth adjustment body 94. The protrusion 760 and cavity 775 retain thealignment of the moveable member relative to the depth adjustment body94, but permit the actuator 720 to modify the position along an axiswhich is preferably parallel to the pivot axis of the rocker 95. Itshould be appreciated that modification of the extension of actuator 720(and thus the effective length of the depth adjustment assembly)modifies the furrow depth for any given depth setting of the handle 98.Any of the secondary depth adjustment assemblies described herein can beused as the only depth adjustment. The primary depth adjustment does notneed to be set. The secondary depth adjustment can adjust across theentire range of depth setting.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a depth adjustment assembly 90Bhaving a secondary depth adjustment assembly wherein an actuator 800modifies the angular position at which one or more gauge wheel arms 54is stopped by the depth adjustment assembly 90B for any given setting ofthe depth adjustment handle 98. The actuator 800 preferably adjusts aposition of a surface 810 which is pivotally mounted to the gauge wheelarm 54; the surface 810 is preferably disposed to contact the rocker 95at the point of maximum upward travel of the gauge wheel arm 54.Extension of the actuator 800 and thus modification of the position ofsurface 810 thus preferably modifies the point of maximum upward travelof the gauge wheel and thus modifies the furrow depth determined by thegauge wheel. In some embodiments, a functionally similar actuator 800and pivotally-mounted surface 810 may be mounted to both gauge wheelarms 54.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a depth adjustment assembly 90Chaving a secondary depth adjustment assembly wherein a modified rocker900 is configured to modify its shape in order to modify the furrowdepth for any given depth setting of the handle 98. The rocker 900preferably includes portions 910-1, 910-2 which contact the gauge wheelarms 54-1 and 54-2, respectively, to limit the upward travel of thegauge wheel arms. An actuator 950 preferably changes the angle betweenthe portions 910-1 and 910-2 and thus the shape of the rocker 900.Retraction of the actuator 950 preferably raises the members 910 andthus modifies the maximum height of the gauge wheel arms 54 and thefurrow depth.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a depth adjustment assembly90D having a secondary depth adjustment assembly wherein the rocker 95is pivotally mounted to the depth adjustment body 94, preferably about alaterally extending axis defined by pivot 1010. An actuator 1000preferably determines the angular position of the rocker 95 about thepivot 1010 relative to the depth adjustment body 94, thus modifying themaximum upward travel of the gauge wheel arms 54 and the furrow depth.

FIG. 10A illustrates an alternative to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10 . Pivot 1010 is removed, and rocker 95 is attached to connector1011, which pivots about pivot 92.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a depth adjustment assembly90E having a secondary depth adjustment assembly wherein an actuator1230 advances a depth adjustment member 1210 (e.g., a wedge) which ispreferably slidingly fixed to the gauge wheel arm and disposed to slidealong the length of the gauge wheel arm 54. An actuator 1230 (e.g., alinear actuator such as an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuator)preferably selectively modifies (e.g., by extension or retraction) theposition of the depth adjustment member 1210, e.g., along the length ofthe gauge wheel arm 54. The position of the depth adjustment member 1210along the length of the gauge wheel arm preferably modifies theuppermost angular position of the gauge wheel arm relative to the rocker95 and thus preferably modifies the depth of the furrow opened by therow unit in operation. The actuator 1230 may be mounted to the gaugewheel arm 54, e.g., by being fixed to a plate 1225 mounted to the gaugewheel arm 54.

In some embodiments, the actuator 1230 may adjust the position of thedepth adjustment member 1210 by means of a biasing mechanism. Thebiasing mechanism preferably increases or reduces a biasing force on thewedge 1210 as the actuator 1230 is extended. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 12 , the actuator 1230 may modify a position of a biasing membersuch as a plate 1220 relative to the depth adjustment member 1210.Optionally, a first spring 1215 a is preferably fixed to the depthadjustment member 1210 at a first end thereof and is preferably fixed tothe plate 1220 at a second end thereof. Optionally, a second spring 1215b is preferably fixed to the plate 1220 at a first end thereof and ispreferably fixed to the plate 1225 at a second end thereof. In theundeflected position shown in FIG. 12 , preferably neither of thesprings 1215 a, 1215 b impose a substantial force on the biasing member1210. As the actuator 1230 advances from the undeflected position, thespring imposes an increasing advancing force on the biasing member 1220(e.g., generally toward the rocker 95). As the actuator 1230 retractsfrom the undeflected position, the spring imposes an increasingretracting force on the biasing member 1220 (e.g., generally away fromthe rocker 95).

In operation, when a component of force transmitted from the actuator1230 (e.g., via the spring 1215 a of the biasing mechanism illustratedin FIG. 12 ) to the rocker 95 exceeds an oppositely acting force of therocker 95 on the gauge wheel arm (or on the depth adjustment member ifthe rocker is already contacting the depth adjustment member), the depthadjustment member 1210 preferably advances, forcing the rocker 95farther away from the gauge wheel arm and reducing the furrow depth. Itshould be appreciated that the biasing force may be built up graduallyby extension of the actuator 1230 without being sufficient to advancethe depth adjustment member 1210 until sufficient extension of theactuator or until reduction of downforce.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of a row unit frame 14 showingalternative embodiments of depth adjustment assemblies 90F and 90G,respectively, disposed on the row unit 14.

Referring to FIG. 13A, a side elevation view of depth adjustmentassembly 90F is shown as viewed along lines X-X of FIG. 13 . FIG. 13B isan enlarged perspective view of depth adjustment assembly 90F with therow unit frame 14 removed and the handle 98 shown in dashed lines forclarity.

The depth adjustment assembly 90F includes a housing 1494 which isreceived between the sidewalls of the row unit frame 14. The housing1494 is adjustably positionable along the depth adjustment slots 97 ofthe row unit frame 14 by engagement of the handle 98 within one of theplurality of depth adjustment slots 97 to achieve the initialpreselected furrow depth. The handle 98 includes hooks 99-1, 99-2 whichextend into the slots 97, thereby positioning the housing 1494 at thedesired slot 97.

The secondary depth adjustment assembly of the depth adjustment assembly90F comprises a drive motor 1450, drive screw 1410, drive member 1420,cam arm 1460 and cog 1430, all of which cooperate to adjustably positionthe rocker 95 with respect to the row unit frame 14 as hereinafterdescribed.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the drive screw 1410 extends into the housing 1494and is driven by the drive motor 1450. The drive screw 1410 isthreadably received by the drive member 1420. The cog 1430 is rotatablydisposed on drive member 1420. A cam arm 1460 has a proximal end 1461and a distal end 1462. The distal end 1462 of the cam arm 1460 ispivotably mounted about pivot 92. The proximal end 1461 of the cam arm1460 includes teeth 1463 that engage with the cog 1430. The rocker 95 ispivotally attached to the distal end 1462 of the cam arm 1460. Stops1470-1 and 1470-2 may be disposed in the housing 1494 on either side ofcam arm 1460 to limit the rotational movement of cam arm 1460 in boththe clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.

In operation, drive motor 1450 rotates the drive screw 1410 causing thedrive member 1420 threadably attached thereto to be threaded upwardly ordownwardly along the drive screw 1410 such that it is raised and loweredwithin the housing 1494. If the drive screw 1410 is rotated by the drivemotor 1450 in the direction to cause the drive member 1420 to bethreaded upwardly along the drive screw 1410, the cog 1430 engages withthe teeth 1463 of the cam arm 1460 causing the cam arm 1460 to pivotcounterclockwise (as shown in FIG. 13A) about pivot 92, which raises therocker 95 with respect to the row unit frame 14, permitting the gaugewheel arms 54 to raise with respect to the frame member 14, therebyincreasing the furrow depth. Conversely, if the drive screw 1410 isrotated by the drive motor 1450 in the opposite direction to cause thedrive member 1420 to be threaded downwardly along the drive screw 1410,the cog 1430 engages with the teeth 1463 of the cam arm 1460 causing thecam arm 1460 to pivot clockwise (as shown in FIG. 13A) about pivot 92,which forces the rocker 95 lower with respect to the frame member 14,thereby forcing the gauge wheel arms 54 downwardly with respect to theframe member 14 and, in turn, decreasing the furrow depth.

Referring to FIG. 14A, a side elevation view of depth adjustmentassembly 90G is shown as viewed along lines Y-Y of FIG. 14 . Similar tothe embodiment of 90F, the depth adjustment assembly 90G includes ahousing 1594 which is received between the sidewalls of the row unitframe 14. The housing 1594 is adjustably positionable along the depthadjustment slots 97 of the row unit frame 14 by engagement of the handle98 within one of the plurality of depth adjustment slots 97 to achievethe initial preselected furrow depth. The handle 98 includes pegs 1593which extend into the slots 97 thereby securing the housing 1594 at thedesired slot 97.

The secondary depth adjustment assembly of the depth adjustment assembly90G comprises a drive motor 1550, drive screw 1510, drive member 1520,cam arm 1560 and a roller 1565 (FIG. 14A) or a cog 1530 (FIG. 14B),which cooperate to adjustably position the rocker 95 with respect to therow unit frame 14 as hereinafter described.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the drive screw 1510 extends into the housing 1594and is driven by a drive motor 1550. The drive screw 1410 is threadablyreceived by drive member 1520. The drive member 1520 has a sloped side1521 that engages with a roller 1565 rotatably attached to a proximalend 1561 of the cam arm 1560. A distal end 1562 of the cam arm 1560 ispivotably mounted about pivot 92. The rocker 95 is pivotally attached tothe distal end 1562 of the cam arm 1560. In an alternative embodimentshown in FIG. 14B, roller 1565 is be replaced with a rotatable cog 1530and the sloped side 1521 includes teeth 1563 which engage with the cog1530 as the cog 1530 rotates. Stops 1570-1 and 1570-2 may be disposed inthe housing 1594 on either side of cam arm 1560 to limit the rotationalmovement of cam arm 1560 in both the clockwise and counterclockwiserotation.

In operation, the drive motor 1550 rotates the drive screw 1510 causingthe drive member 1520 threadably attached thereto to be threadedupwardly or downwardly along the drive screw 1410 such that it is raisedand lowered within the housing 1594. If the drive screw 1510 is rotatedby the drive motor 1550 in the direction to cause the drive member 1520to be threaded upwardly along the drive screw 1510, the roller 1565 willroll downwardly along the sloped side 1521 causing the cam arm 1560 topivot counterclockwise (as shown in FIG. 14A) about pivot 92, whichraises the rocker 95 with respect to the row unit frame 14, permittingthe gauge wheel arms 54 to raise with respect to the frame member 14,thereby increasing the furrow depth. Conversely, if the drive screw 1510is rotated by the drive motor 1550 in the opposite direction to causethe drive member 1520 to be threaded downwardly along the drive screw1510, the roller 1565 will roll along the curved surface 1521 causingthe cam arm 1560 to pivot clockwise (as shown in FIG. 14A) about pivot92, which forces the rocker 95 lower with respect to the frame member14, thereby forcing the gauge wheel arms 54 downwardly with respect tothe frame member 14 and, in turn, decreasing the furrow depth. It shouldbe appreciated that with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14B,wherein the roller 1565 and sloped surface 1521 are replaced with thecog 1530 which engage teeth 1563 on the sloped surface 1521, the sameaction is accomplished.

In an alternative embodiment to any of embodiments 90A, 90B, 90C, 90D,90E, 90F, and 90G, the depth adjustment body 94, 1494, or 1594 does notneed to be adjustable. Depth adjustment body 94, 1494, or 1594 canremain fixed with respect to frame 14 and the secondary adjustmentassembly of any of embodiments 90A, 90B, 90C, 90D, 90E, 90F, and 90Gwill provide the entire range of depth adjustment. Instead of pivotingat pivot 92, depth adjustment body 94, 1494 or 1594 is fixed to frame14.

Any of the actuators (720, 800, 950, 1000, 1230) can be electrical,hydraulic, or pneumatic actuators.

FIGS. 15 and 15A illustrate another embodiment of a depth adjustmentassembly 90H in which a rotary actuator 1650 (such as an electric motor)turns gears 1640-1 and 1640-2 that adjusts the position of the depthadjustment body 1694 relative to the depth adjustment slots 97. Gears1640-1 and 1640-2 have teeth 1641-1 and 1641-2, respectively that engagein slots 97. Rotary actuator 1650 is connected to depth adjustment body1694, which is pivotally mounted to the frame 14 at pivot 92. Rocker 95is pivotally mounted to the depth adjustment body 1694. Rotary actuatormay be gear reduced (such as 300:1) to allow for smaller rotation ofgears 1640-1 and 1640-2. In this embodiment, rotary actuator 1650replaces handle 98. This embodiment can be used as the only depthadjustment assembly, or it can be used as the primary depth adjustmentassembly and used in combination with any of the other secondary depthadjustment assemblies.

FIG. 15B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a depth adjustmentassembly 90H in which depth adjustment body 1694 is replaced with depthadjustment body 1695, handle shaft 1698, and spring 1630. Handle shaft1698 is attached to actuator 1650 and is partially slidingly receivedwithin a cavity 1696 of the depth adjustment body 1695. The spring 1630engages an annular lip 1680 disposed on the bottom end of the handleshaft 1698. The spring 1630 thus imposes a resilient force to retain thegears 1640 in the selected slot 97 but permits the user to withdraw theactuator 1650 using handle 1660 attached to actuator 1650 to temporarilydisengage the gears 1640 from the slot 97 to a desired pre-set depth tominimize the amount of travel that the actuator 1650 needs to reach aselected depth.

FIGS. 16 and 16A illustrate another embodiment of a depth adjustmentassembly 90I in which a gear rack 1710 is disposed on row unit 14 overdepth adjustment slots 97. A radius R from pivot 92 to gear rack 1710remains constant along the gear rack 1710 having two rows of teeth1716-1, 1716-2. Rotary actuator 1750 is disposed over gear rack 1710 andis connected to a handle shaft 1798 at gear box 1720. Rotary actuator1750 includes a motor 1730 connected to a gear box 1720. In the rearperspective view of FIG. 16 , the rotary actuator 1750 is removed forclarity to better show the gear rack 1710. Gear box 1720 has gears 1740having teeth 1741 for meshing with gear rack 1710. Only one of the gearsis visible in FIG. 16A, but it should be appreciated that respectivegears 1740-1, 1740-2, having respective teeth 1741-1, 1741-2 wouldrotatably engage with respective teeth 1716-1, 1716-2 of gear rack 1710.A handle 1799 can be disposed on motor 1730 to permit rotary actuator1750 to disengage from gear rack 1710 for moving to a different positionon gear rack 1710 to preset a selected depth. Rotary actuator 1740 maybe gear reduced (such as 300:1) to allow for smaller rotation of gears1740-1 and 1740-2. In this embodiment, rotary actuator 1750 replaceshandle 98 described in the previous embodiments. Handle shaft 1798 isattached to actuator 1750 at gear box 1720 and is partially slidinglyreceived within a cavity 1796 of a depth adjustment body 1794. A spring1791 engages an annular lip 1795 disposed on the bottom end of thehandle shaft 1798. The spring 1791 imposes a resilient force to retainthe gears 1740 meshed with gear rack 1710 but permits the user towithdraw the actuator 1750 using handle 1799 attached to actuator 1750to temporarily disengage the gears 1740 from gear rack 1710. Depthadjustment body 1794 is pivotally mounted to the frame 14 at pivot 92.Rocker 95 is pivotally mounted to the depth adjustment body 1794.

FIG. 16B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the depth adjustmentassembly 90I in which handle 1799 is replaced with manual adjustment1780. Manual adjustment 1780 may be a knob, a bolt head or othersuitable means to permit a user to manually move motor 1730 by hand or atool to adjust depth adjustment assembly 90I when motor 1730 cannot bedriven electrically.

FIG. 16C is a side elevation and partial cutaway view of anotherembodiment of a depth adjustment assembly 90J that further includes arotary actuator 1750A. FIG. 16D is a rear elevation view of theembodiment of 16C. In this embodiment, gear rack 1710 includes shelves1714-1 and 1714-2 laterally inward of respective teeth 1716-1 and1716-2. Rollers 1712-1 and 1712-2 are secured to an axle 1715 extendingthrough gearbox 1720. The rollers 1712-1 and 1712-2 ride on therespective shelves 1714-1 and 1714-2. The force on gears 1740-1 and1740-2 from spring 1791 is reduced because the force is acting throughrollers 1712-1 and 1712-2 on shelves 1714-1 an 1714-2, thus allowing foreasier movement of gears 1740-1 and 1740-2 on teeth 1716-1 and 1716-2.Also, it is easier to maintain center distance for gear mesh. Similar toFIG. 16B, handle 1799 can be replaced with manual adjustment 1780. Inanother embodiment shown in FIG. 16E, rollers 1712-1 and 1712-2 arecoaxial with gears 1740-1 and 1740-2. This simplifies the embodimentshown in FIGS. 16C and 16D to permit the depth adjustment assembly 90Jto have a full range of motion across teeth 1716.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of a conventional Case row unit 1814such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,029 (the “Case '029 patent”),incorporated herein by reference, which is adapted with anotherembodiment of a depth adjustment assembly 90K, as hereinafter described.FIG. 17A is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 17 . The conventional Caserow unit includes an adjustment handle (identified by reference numeral90 in FIG. 2 of the Case '029 patent) which is removed and replaced withan actuator 1850 coupled to a screw 1841 that engages with the rod 1860(corresponding to rod 92 in FIG. 2 of the Case '029 patent). The depthadjustment assembly 90K is mounted to row unit 1810 via bracket 1870having bracket arms 1870-1 and 1871-2 attached to channel member 1814.Actuator 1850 includes motor 1830 and gear box 1820, which drives shaft1821, which is coupled to screw 1841 via coupler 1840. Screw 1841 isthreadably engaged with adjustment arm 1860 extending through thechannel member 1814. Adjustment arm 1860 has a screw receiver end 1861having a threaded nut 1862 for threadably receiving screw 1841.Adjustment arm 1860 extends through channel member 1814 and is connectedto a rocker 1895 at its distal end. The rocker 1895 is pinned to thedistal end of the adjustment arm 1860 and acts on respective gauge wheelarms 1894-1 and 1894-2. Gauge wheel arms 1894-1 and 1894-2 are pivotallyconnected to a frame member of the row unit 1810 via pivots 1892-1 and1892-2, respectively. Gauge wheels 52-1 and 52-2 are connected to gaugewheel arms 1894-1 and 1894-2, respectively.

For any of the depth adjustment assemblies that have a motor as part oftheir actuator (1450, 1550, 1650, 1750, 1850, 1950), the set depth canbe determined by the actuator/motors 1450, 1550, 1650, 1730, 1830, 1930,1984 based on their rotations in either direction. If actuator/motors1450, 1550, 1650, 1730, 1830, 1930, 1984 are stepper motors, the numberof steps taken in either direction can be tracked by depth control andsoil monitoring system 300.

FIGS. 18 and 18A illustrate another embodiment of a depth adjustmentassembly 90K utilizing a gear rack 1710 and a distance sensor 1717 todetermine the position of the actuator 1750B along the gear rack 1710.FIG. 18A is a rear elevation view of FIG. 18 . In this embodiment, thedistance sensor 1717 is disposed on the bottom of gear box 1720 and isdisposed over a ledge 1721 disposed on an interior surface 1722 of gearrack 1710. In this embodiment, ledge 1721 has a constantly changingdistance with respect to the constant radius of teeth 1716. Sensing thischange in distance, distance sensor 1717 communicates with depth controland soil monitoring system 300.

FIGS. 19 and 19A illustrate another embodiment of a depth adjustmentassembly 90L utilizing a gear rack 1710 and a distance sensor 1717 todetermine the position of the actuator 1750C along the gear rack 1710.FIG. 19A is a rear elevation view of FIG. 19 . In this embodiment, thedistance sensor 1717 is disposed on the handle shaft 1798. The interiorwall 1718 of ledge 1723 adjacent to the distance sensor 1717 has aconstantly changing width transverse to the direction of travel ofhandle shaft 1798. The change in distance to the interior wall 1718 issensed by the distance sensor 1717 which communicates with depth controland soil monitoring system 300.

Distance sensor 1717 can be any sensor that can measure distance.Examples of distance sensors include, but are not limited to Hall effectsensors and inductive sensors.

FIGS. 20A to 20K illustrate another embodiment of a depth adjustmentassembly 90M utilizing a gear rack 1910 and a distance sensor 1917 todetermine the position of actuator 1950 along the gear rack 1910. Inthis embodiment, the distance sensor 1917 is disposed above ledge 1921,which is disposed on gear rack 1910. In one embodiment, distance sensor1917 is attached to gear box 1920. In this embodiment, ledge 1921 has aconstantly changing distance with respect to the constant radius ofteeth 1916. Sensing this change in distance, distance sensor 1917communicates with depth control and soil monitoring system 300.Alternatively, gear rack 1910 can have an interior wall similar tointerior wall 1718 on gear rack 1710 with distance sensor disposed tosense the change in distance to the interior wall (not shown).

Depth adjustment assembly 90M has actuator 1950 disposed on and engagedwith gear rack 1910. Actuator 1950 has an electric motor 1930 connectedto and driving gear box 1920. Gear box 1920 drives gears 1940-1 and1940-2. Gears 1940-1 and 1940-2 have teeth 1941-1 and 1941-2,respectively, for engaging teeth 1916 (1916-1 and 1916-2) on gear rack1910.

As best viewed in FIG. 20F, gear box 1920 is connected via shaft 1998 todepth adjustment body 1994 which pivots about pivot 92 to adjust rocker95. In one embodiment, shaft 1998 is connected to gear box 1920 viaconnection 1922. Shaft 1998 terminates with annular lip 1995 insidedepth adjustment body 1994. Disposed in depth adjustment body 1994 isforce member 1991 (such as a spring) to force shaft 1998 via annular lip1995 away from depth adjustment body 1994. In the embodiment when forcemember 1991 is a spring, annular lip 1995 can have a nub 1997 and depthadjustment body 1994 can have a nub 1996 about which spring 1991 isdisposed to help retain spring 1991 within depth adjustment body 1994.

As best viewed in FIG. 20G, gear rack 1910 in one embodiment can haveone or more protrusions 1929. Protrusions 1929 can engage with the depthadjustment notches on frame 14, which are typically found on most frames(not shown).

Gear box 1920 has wheels 1913-1 and 1913-2 attached to its side. Wheels1913-1 and 1913-2 engage shelves 1919-1 and 1919-2, respectively, ongear rack 1910. The engagement of wheels 1913-1 and 1913-2 can be bestviewed in FIGS. 20H and 20I. FIG. 20I is a perspective view of gear rack1710 showing the changing radius of ledge 1921 with respect to teeth1916-2 and ledge 1919-2.

FIG. 20J shows gear box 1920, and FIG. 20K shows the internal parts ofgear box 1920 with gear box housing 1925 removed to show worm gear 1927,wheel 1928 (or 1928-1 and 1928-2) and shaft 1926. Worm gear 1927 isdriven by motor 1930 and turns wheel gear 1928 and shaft 1926. Gears1940-1 and 1940-2 are disposed about shaft 1926. In one embodiment, wormgear 1927 and wheel gear 1928 are made from powdered metal. In oneembodiment for ease of assembly, wheel gear 1928 is made in two parts,left wheel gear 1928-1 and right wheel gear 1928-2, all of which can bemade from powdered metal.

FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a depthadjustment assembly 90N. Assembly 90N is an alternative to assembly 90Min which the wheel gears/pinions are replaced with one or more wormgears. In this embodiment, gear box 1980 is connected via shaft 1998 todepth adjustment body 1994 which pivots about pivot 92 to adjust rocker95. Disposed on either or both sides of gear box 1980 and positionedover gear rack 1910 is a worm gear 1981 having flights 1982 that engagewith the teeth 1916 of the gear rack 1910. The worm gear 1981 has ashaft 1983 which is rotatably driven by an electric motor 1984. Theshaft 1983 is supported within a U-shaped bracket 1985 which issupported by the gear box 1980. For consistency with the previouslydescribed embodiments, it should be appreciated that the depthadjustment assembly 90N may comprise corresponding left and right wormgears 1981, flights 1982, shafts 1983, motors 1984 and brackets 1985differentiated by the suffix “−1” and “−2” for those components disposedover the respective left and right gear teeth 1916-1, 1916-2 of the gearrack 1910. However, because FIG. 21 is a sided elevation view, only the“−2” components are visible.

There are other row units with manual adjustments similar to thosedescribed herein. Non-limiting examples can be found in US20170000003and US20170006757, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.The depth adjustment assemblies described herein work with similarsystems with rockers, pivot, and adjustment arms.

Depth Control Systems

The depth adjustment actuators/motors (e.g., secondary depth adjustmentactuators/motors) disclosed herein (e.g., actuators/motors 720, 800,950, 1000, 1230, 1450, 1550, 1650, 1750, 1850, 1950, 1984) may be indata communication with a depth control and soil monitoring system 300as illustrated in FIG. 11 and described herein.

In the system 300, a monitor 50 is preferably in electricalcommunication with components associated with each row unit 10 includingseed meter drives 315, seed sensors 305, the GPS receiver 53, downforcesensors 392, downforce valves 390, depth adjustment actuators 380, anddepth actuator encoders 382 (and in some embodiments actual depthsensors 385 such as those described in applicant's International PatentPub. No. WO2014/066654, incorporated by reference herein). In someembodiments, particularly those in which each seed meter 30 is notdriven by an individual drive 315, the monitor 50 is also preferably inelectrical communication with clutches 310 configured to selectivelyoperably couple the seed meter 30 to the drive 315.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 11 , the monitor 50 is preferably inelectrical communication with a cellular modem 330 or other componentconfigured to place the monitor 50 in data communication with theInternet, indicated by reference numeral 335. Via the Internetconnection, the monitor 50 preferably receives data from a soil dataserver 345. The soil data server 345 preferably includes soil map files(e.g., shape files) associating soil types (or other soilcharacteristics) with GPS locations. In some embodiments, soil map filesare stored in the memory of the monitor 50.

The monitor 50 is also preferably in electrical communication with oneor more temperature sensors 360 mounted to the planter and configured togenerate a signal related to the temperature of soil being worked by theplanter row units 10. In some embodiments one or more of the temperaturesensors 360 comprise thermocouples disposed to engage the soil asdisclosed in Applicant's International Patent Pub. No. WO2014/153157,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference. In such embodiments, the temperature sensors 360 preferablyengage the soil at the bottom of the trench 38. In other embodiments,one or more of the temperature sensors 360 may comprise a sensordisposed and configured to measure the temperature of the soil withoutcontacting the soil as disclosed in International Patent Pub. No.WO2012/149398, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein inits entirety by reference.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the monitor 50 is preferably in electricalcommunication with one or more moisture sensors 350 mounted to theplanter and configured to generate a signal related to the temperatureof soil being worked by the planter row units 10. In some embodiments,the moisture sensor 350 comprises a reflectance sensor such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,204,689, hereby incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference. In such embodiments, the moisture sensor 350 ispreferably mounted to the shank 15 of the row unit 10 and disposed tomeasure the soil moisture at the bottom of the trench 38, preferably ata position longitudinally forward of the seed tube 32. The monitor 50 ispreferably in electrical communication with one or more second-depthmoisture sensors 352. The second-depth moisture sensor 352 preferablycomprises a reflectance sensor such as that disclosed in the '689application, disposed to measure soil moisture at a depth at whichconsistent moisture reading is expected. In some embodiments thesecond-depth moisture sensor 352 is disposed to measure soil moisture ata greater depth than used for planting, such as between 3 and 6 inchesand preferably approximately 4 inches below the soil surface. In otherembodiments the second-depth moisture sensor 352 is disposed to measuresoil moisture at a lesser depth than used for planting, such as between0.25 inch and 1 inch and preferably approximately 0.5 inch below thesoil surface. The second-depth moisture sensor 352 is preferablydisposed to open a trench laterally offset from the trenches 38 openedby the row units 10.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the monitor 50 is preferably in electricalcommunication with one or more electrical conductivity sensors 365. Theelectrical conductivity sensor 365 preferably comprises one or moreelectrodes disposed to cut into the soil surface such as the sensorsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,841,282 and 5,524,560, both of which arehereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the monitor 50 is preferably in electricalcommunication with one or more pH sensors 355. In some embodiments thepH sensor 355 is drawn by a tractor or by another implement (e.g., atillage implement) such that data is stored in the monitor 50 for lateruse. In some such embodiments, the pH sensor 355 is similar to thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,830. In some embodiments, the pH sensor355 is mounted to the toolbar 8, preferably at a position laterallyoffset from the row units 10.

Depth Control Methods

According to some exemplary processes of controlling depth using thedepth adjustment assemblies described herein, a user may manually adjustthe primary and/or secondary depth adjustment assemblies.

According to some exemplary processes, the user may manually adjust theprimary depth adjustment assembly and use the monitor 50 to command adepth adjustment to the secondary depth adjustment assembly.

According to some exemplary processes, the user may manually adjust theprimary depth adjustment assembly and the monitor 50 may command adesired depth adjustment to the secondary depth adjustment assembly(e.g., one of the actuators/motors 720, 800, 950, 1000, 1230, 1450,1550, 1650, 1750, 1850, 1950, 1984) by receiving one or more agronomicvariables from the sensors (e.g., sensors 350, 355, 360, 365, 352, 385)or from the soil data server 345 and determining a desired depthadjustment by consulting a database or algorithm relating one or moreagronomic variables to a desired furrow depth.

According to some exemplary processes, the monitor 50 may command adesired depth adjustment to the primary depth adjustment assembly and/orto the secondary depth adjustment assembly (e.g., one of theactuators/motors 720, 800, 950, 1000, 1230, 1450, 1550, 1650, 1750,1850, 1950, 1984) by receiving one or more agronomic variables from thesensors (e.g., sensors 350, 355, 360, 365, 352, 385) or from the soildata server 345 and determining a desired depth adjustment by consultinga database or algorithm relating one or more agronomic variables to adesired furrow depth.

According to some exemplary processes, the monitor 50 may command adesired depth adjustment to the primary depth adjustment assembly and/orto the secondary depth adjustment assembly (e.g., one of theactuators/motors 720, 800, 950, 1000, 1230, 1450, 1550, 1650, 1750,1850, 1950, 1984) by determining the GPS-reported location of the rowunit 10 and consulting a depth prescription map spatially relatinglocations and/or regions in the field to desired furrow depths.

In some embodiments, the monitor 50 may record changes in depth in thefield by associating commanded actuations of the actuator/motor 720,800, 950, 1000, 1230, 1450, 1550, 1650, 1750, 1850, 1950, 1984 with GPSlocations reported by the GPS receiver 52. In some such embodiments, themonitor 50 may record a change in depth concurrently with the commandedactuations of the actuator/motor 720, 800, 950, 1000, 1230, 1450, 1550,1650, 1750, 1850, 1950. However, in operation, the force between therocker 95 and the gauge wheel arm and/or the depth adjustment member mayvary, e.g., as the row unit moves across uneven terrain. Thus in someembodiments the monitor 50 may monitor the force on the gauge wheel armand/or the depth adjustment rocker and record the change in depth onlywhen the force is lower than a predetermined threshold. For example,with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 12 , the monitor 50 may monitorthe force on the gauge wheel arm and/or the depth adjustment rocker andrecord the change in depth only when the force is lower than apredetermined threshold at which the depth adjustment member can beadvanced for a given position of the actuator 1230. The force on thegauge wheel arm and/or the depth adjustment rocker may be recorded by aload sensor such as a strain gauge mounted to the gauge wheel arm orother location through which the force is transmitted, or by a loadsensing pin incorporated in the row unit as is known in the art.

In other implementations, the monitor 50 may command a temporary change(e.g., reduction) in row unit downforce applied by the actuator 18concurrently with (or before or after) a commanded change in theextension of the actuator/motor 720, 800, 950, 1000, 1230, 1450, 1550,1650, 1750, 1850, 1950, 1984 in order to permit the depth adjustment.The monitor 50 then preferably commands the row unit downforce appliedby the actuator 18 to return to its previously commanded level.

The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skillin the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the contextof a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe preferred embodiment of the apparatus, and the general principlesand features of the system and methods described herein will be readilyapparent to those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention isnot to be limited to the embodiments of the apparatus, system andmethods described above and illustrated in the drawing figures, but isto be accorded the widest scope consistent with the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

1. An agricultural row unit, comprising: a row unit frame having matingslots disposed in said row unit frame; a furrow opening disc rotatablysupported by said row unit frame for opening a furrow in a soil surfaceas the row unit frame advances in a forward direction of travel; a gaugewheel arm pivotally supported at a proximal end from said row unitframe; a gauge wheel rotatably supported on a distal end of said gaugewheel arm, said gauge wheel disposed adjacent to said furrow openingdisc such that said gauge wheel is displaceable with respect to saidfurrow opening disc; a depth adjustment assembly, comprising: a depthadjustment body pivotally connected via a pivot to said row unit frame,said depth adjustment body having an upper end extending upward throughsaid gear rack and a lower end engaging with said gauge wheel arm so asto limit pivotal movement of said gauge wheel arm in an upward directionaway from the soil surface; gear wheels operably connected with saidupper end of said depth adjustment body, said gear wheels includingteeth that engage with said mating slots in said row unit frame; anactuator configured to rotatably drive said gear wheels, wherebyrotation of said gear wheels causes movement of said depth adjustmentbody about said pivot to limit pivotal movement of said gauge wheel armin the upward direction away from the soil surface, thereby controllinga depth of the furrow opened by the furrow opening disc by limiting anamount of upward displacement of said gauge wheel with respect to saidfurrow opening disc.
 2. The agricultural row unit of claim 1, whereinsaid actuator is an electric motor.
 3. The agricultural row unit ofclaim 1 further comprising a rocker connected to an end of said depthadjustment body such that said rocker engages with said gauge wheel arm.